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Scientists and Interns Collaborate for the 2015 REU Program

Tuesday, 11 August 2015
For 16 years, the Danforth Plant Science Center’s REU summer internship program has introduced undergraduate students to a rich, collaborative research environment. This year, 23 students from universities across the U.S. conducted cutting-edge scientific research with guidance from seasoned mentors. Projects represented a diverse set of research areas including bioenergy, bioinformatics, genomics, cellular signaling, structural biology and much more.

The Danforth Center is a highly collaborative institution where interns find an interactive and supportive atmosphere. The goal of this unique program is to give each student insight into the research environment, as well as to teach valuable research skills. Students gain experience with all aspects of modern scientific research, from design to experimentation to reporting, as well as an understanding the broader impact of scientific discovery.

“I’ve seen the impact the Center has on the field of plant science and I knew if I came here I would be able to jump into some really impactful and interesting science,” said Dhruv Patel, junior at Cornell University interning in the Nusinow Lab. “The internship is really broad. They’ve taken us to tour other facilities in the area and other labs in the Center besides the one we are assigned to. I knew I loved plant science already, but being a part of the REU program has made me realize how interested I am in molecular biology.”

“I decided to apply to the REU program, because I heard great things about the Center from the faculty at school,” said Rebecca Valls, junior at Florida International University interning in the Baxter Lab. “There’s a wide variety of areas being studied here and I wanted to immerse myself in all that the Center has to offer in hopes that this experience will help me make decisions about my future.”

Faculty, mentors and staff provide insight into the personal qualities that make a good researcher and the process and training involved in becoming a scientist. Interns participate in career pathway discussions with experienced researchers and take field trips to local universities and industries with a plant or life science focus. Ninety-one percent of previous REU interns are pursuing degrees in science or working full-time in the field of science.

“We took a tour of Washington University and it was awesome,” said Imani Bunn, a junior at Harvard University interning in the Bart Lab. “I didn’t know about Wash U before the REU program, but after our visit, I decided to apply there for graduate school. It’s actually one of my top choices now.”

“Both my dad and grandfather are professors at Mizzou,” said Ryan Calcutt, junior at the University of Missouri-Columbia interning in the Wang Lab. “Growing up I was in the lab all the time with my dad, but at the time, I didn’t think a career in science was for me. Once I got into college, I liked my biology class, so I got back in the lab and really enjoyed it. This internship truly solidified that I want to be a scientist. It’s funny how things happen.”

At the end of the summer session, the interns presented a summary of his/her research in the Center's AT&T Auditorium before an audience of scientific peers. A brief written report is also required and students were carefully guided through the process of preparation of the written report and oral presentation. The presentation and report are a vital part of the education of young scientists.

“My PI, Dr. Baxter and lab mentor, Dr. Zeigler have been wonderful,” said Valls. “I know they are extremely busy and have plenty of other things to do, but they made themselves very available for us. They’ve even allowed me to present my final presentation several times to practice. There is a very collaborative environment at the Center and being a part of this has helped me learn how to create that feeling in my own lab some day.”

“People are so approachable and that speaks volumes about the atmosphere of the Center,” said Calcutt. “My PI, Dr. Wang, is a busy man, but he always takes the time to ask what I’m doing and why and helps me think about the impact of my results. We’ve talked a lot about graduate school and my future. I gained structure for my career path by being a part of this program.”

For more information on the Danforth Center’s REU summer internship program, read HERE.